Wednesday of The 4th Week of Easter, 06 May 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“I am the light of the world.
If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”.
A Reading from the Gospels: John 12:44-50 (NLT)
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 12:24—13:5 (NLT)
Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
Barnabas and Saul Are Commissioned
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”, Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.
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Psalm 67)
May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us.
+ May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
+ May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Let the whole world sing for joy,
because you govern the nations with justice
and guide the people of the whole world.
+ May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Then the earth will yield its harvests,
and God, our God, will richly bless us.
Yes, God will bless us,
and people all over the world will fear him.
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Psalm 67 in Hebrew with English translation by Tal Hermon (a family worship).
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Closing: John 8:12 (NLT)
“I am the light of the world.
If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.”.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 